Publications
Publications
- June 2001 (Revised March 2003)
- HBS Case Collection
Alibris (A)
By: Andrew P. McAfee and Kerry Herman
Abstract
Alibris is an Internet-era company providing search and fulfillment services for hard-to-find (rare, used, and out-of-print) books. At the time of the case, the company had made decisions to change its revenue model, to become involved in the fulfillment process for each book it sells by establishing a cross-dock facility, and to purchase Oracle's Internet commerce software. However, the implementation of this software has been very difficult, delaying the launch of the new fulfillment business and costing large amounts of money at a time when cash is scarce. The company's leaders, who are not IT professionals, must decide whether to continue with Oracle or begin anew with another product.
Keywords
Internet and the Web; Service Delivery; Applications and Software; Problems and Challenges; Books; Service Industry
Citation
McAfee, Andrew P., and Kerry Herman. "Alibris (A)." Harvard Business School Case 601-111, June 2001. (Revised March 2003.)